In morning prayer we have been following the Letter to the Hebrews,  I am happy to state right from the outset that it is not the easiest of books in the Bible to het your head round but todays verses really are quite wonderful. Hebrews11:17-31

The writer of the letter is looking back to the Old Testament. to times of difficulty and times of trouble and focusing on key leaders of God’s people. Time and time again we get the same message:

By faith Abraham….. By faith Isaac …. By faith Jacob… By faith Joseph …  By faith Moses’ parents … By faith Moses … By faith he left Egypt…  By faith he kept the Passover …  By faith the people … By faith the walls of Jericho fell … By faith Rahab was not killed.

One of the key elements of our faith is just that, faith. When life is tough and we cant see the way out, when the world seems upside down it is about faith. It can be tempting to look at those big leaders and think they had all the answers but they did not, they had faith.

Christianity is about faith, not answers it is not about coming up with the answers but having faith. In a wonderful article yesterday published by Time magazine (Article Here) our former Bishop, Tom Wright says these words:

“It is part of the Christian vocation not to be able to explain—and to lament instead. As the Spirit laments within us, so we become, even in our self-isolation, small shrines where the presence and healing love of God can dwell. And out of that there can emerge new possibilities, new acts of kindness, new scientific understanding, new hope. New wisdom for our leaders? Now there’s a thought.”

By faith ……..

In his article Tom also references the Psalms as scripture that have become essential to us in these days, so here my favourite rewording of a great Psalm of Faith, The Lord’s my Shepherd (I Will Trust in You) by Stuart Townend:

he Lord’s my Shepherd I’ll not want He makes me lie in pastures green
He leads me by the still still waters His goodness restores my soul

And I will trust in You alone And I will trust in You alone
For Your endless mercy follows me Your goodness will lead me home

He guides my ways in righteousness And He anoints my head with oil
And my cup it overflows with joy I feast on His pure delights

And though I walk the darkest path I will not fear the evil one
For You are with me And Your rod and staff Are the comfort I need to know

I will trust I will trust in You , I will trust I will trust in You
Endless mercy follows me, Goodness will lead me home

Your friend and Vicar

David